English Standard Version
Psalms 4:6
6There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!"
Psalms 4:6 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.
- New International Version (NIV)Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us.
- New King James Version (NKJV)There are many who say, “Who will show us any good?” Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Many people say, “Who will show us better times?” Let your face smile on us, Lord.
Context of Psalms 4:6
4Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah 5Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, "Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!" 7You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. 8In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Read all of Psalms 4Psalms 4:6 word by word
רַבִּ֥ים אֹמְרִים֮ מִֽי־יַרְאֵ֪נ֫וּ ט֥וֹב נְֽסָה־עָ֭לֵינוּ א֨וֹר פָּנֶ֬יךָ יְהוָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 4:6
- Psalms 39:6Surely a man goes about as a shadow! Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth and does not know who will gather!
- Psalms 49:16Be not afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases.
- Ecclesiastes 2:3I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.
- Isaiah 55:2Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.
- Luke 12:19And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."'
- Luke 16:19"There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
- James 4:13Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"—
- James 5:1Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
- Psalms 21:6For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
- Psalms 42:5Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation
- Psalms 44:3for not by their own sword did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them.
- Psalms 67:1May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
- Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
- Psalms 89:15Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,
- Psalms 119:135Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.
- Numbers 6:26the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Commentaries on Psalms 4:6
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Who will show us any good? - This is not a fair translation. The word any is not in the text, nor any thing equivalent to it; and not a few have quoted it, and preached upon the text, placing the principal emphasis on this illegitimate word. The place is sufficiently emphatic without this. There are multitudes who say, Who will show us good? Man wants good; he hates evil as evil, because he has pain, suffering, and death through it; and he wishes to find…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 6There be many that say - Some have supposed, as DeWette and others, that the allusion of the psalmist here is to his own followers, and that the reference is to their anxious fears in their misfortunes, as if they were poor and forsaken, and knew not from from where the supply of their wants would come. The more probable interpretation, however, is that the allusion is to the general anxiety of mankind, as contrasted with the feelings and desires of the…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-8Verses 6-8 Wordly people inquire for good, not for the chief good; all they want is outward good, present good, partial good, good meat, good drink, a good trade, and a good estate; but what are all these worth? Any good will serve the turn of most men, but a gracious soul will not be put off so. Lord, let us have thy favour, and let us know that we have it, we desire no more; let us be satisfied of thy loving-kindness, and will be satisfied with it. Many…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 6the light of Your face: When the psalmist speaks about God’s face, he is asking for God’s favor and peace (Numbers 6:25–26). God’s favor can change a situation from darkness to light (see Psalm 27:1). Confident faith protects against anger, resentment, jealousy, and a desire for wealth as the highest good. When God’s favor is enough, other desires lose their power.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-76-7. Contrast true with vain confidence. light of thy countenance upon us--figure for favor (Nu 6:26; Psa 44:3; 81:16).Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 4:6
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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Commentaries